"What I really am trying to learn is what are the subtle differences between the two types? Do recurve pull easier or harder than longbows? Which seems to be more accepting and forgiving with form? Things of that nature."
I think Whip had the answer. It is a very individual thing. There aren't any simple and fast rules of thumb that work for everyone. Some bows that feel great to me are just terrible for the next guy and vice-versa. That is one of the reasons you see so many trading hands on the classifieds. I know some folks that won't shoot anything but a Hill style longbow. I can't shoot those things to save my life, but have found a couple of reflex-deflex longbows that shoot very well for me. I use to think that a short recurve was very unforgiving of form errors and were just too twitchy to shoot - this goes back to the late 60's when the first Bear Kodiak Magnums and the short Brownings came out. They were just terrible to shoot - for me. But, I have a 57" RER that shoots just fine - for me.
For me, I have found that the grip and the physical weight of the bow have the biggest impact on whether I like a bow or not. Next would be how smooth it draws. You can learn to shoot most anything with enough practice. I still have the Shakespeare Necheda that I shot my first deer with and I know that when I was 15 I could shoot 1 inch circles all day from 30 yards in with it. Today, I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with that thing. I find it stacks a lot, has a lot of hand shock and just feels bad compared to some of my other bows.
The common advice on here is to try and go to a shoot and try out as many bows as you can. I'm guessing there aren't a lot of shoots up where you live in Ontario, so Whip's advice about trying a few bows off the classifieds is a good one. I did get to both the Baltimore and Denton Hill shoots this past year and made it a point to try every bow I could at both shows. I made a list and marked each bow for it's characteristics. I now have a list of a whole bunch of bows that I know I don't want, but I have a shorter list of bows I would like to try. I have had very successful dealings on the classifieds here and have been able to flip bows easily that didn't work out for me. Just starting out, I would try a couple of recurves - try a high-med grip and a low grip and a one-piece (they will be lighter), and a takedown. Maybe try a shorter one and a longer one. I would then try a hill style longbow with a straight grip and then a mild-med reflex-deflex longbow with a locator grip. Different bow lengths here will make a difference as well. I don't think a short longbow has any advantages except maybe in a pop up blind and wouldn't recommend them, but that's just me. Try one at 62" and another at 66".
Topic: thinking of treating myself to a new bow..info needed (Read 314 times)
